After all that snow and nasty weather, the Boston Flower Garden Show will provide blooming, blossoming proof spring is just around the corner.

Living up the its theme, “Seeds of Change,” this year’s show at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston features more than 20 spectacular gardens, a new emphasis on ecologically sound gardening and expert advice on growing produce and herbs for year-round enjoyment and nutrition.

Running through Sunday, March 17, it will bring 200 vendors offering plants, tools, seeds, landscaping services, gifts and more. For the environmentally-minded, “The Birds and the Bees” offers demonstrations by experts who’ll show how to raise chickens and keep bees.

The show is produced by the Paragon Group of Needham, which organizes other high-profile events such as the National Golf Expo Boston, and sponsored by Subaru of New England.

Show director Carolyn H. Weston predicted the five-day event will provide new ideas, expertise and products for suburban gardeners with good-sized plots, urban gardeners with limited space and professionals looking to stay ahead of the newest trend.

“There will be demonstrations and lectures for virtually every need and taste and level of gardening experience. Visitors will learn how to make vertical gardens on their walls that will look like a piece of art. And they can learn how to re-use water in their garden to preserve vital natural resource. Or they can take a class in ‘Pruning 101’ so they can save money instead of hiring a landscaper,” she said.

Entering the show, visitors will see more than 20 landscaped gardens created by some of New England’s best known horticulturalists, landscape designers and garden centers. They’ll be able to choose from among 55 lectures and demonstrations over the five-day event.

Continuing a popular tradition, the 2013 show will feature exciting floral competitions organized by the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society which will feature submissions by the region’s top amateur floral arrangers and horticulturalists.

Need expert advice for a problem? Weston said master gardeners will be available to offer help “will vexing garden issues from soil typing to insect treatments.”

Want to get your children’s nose out of their cell phone? Specialists in the Little Sprouts Kids Corner will offer activities on the importance of organic gardening.

Several of the garden exhibitors whose work will be the show’s centerpiece hail from MetroWest, including Ahronian Landscaping Design of Holliston, La Vita Bella Garden Design of Wellesley, Bonsai Study Group of Natick and the class of 2012 of the Garden Design School USA from Wellesley.

On Sunday at noon, Trish Umbrell of Natick Community Gardens will give a demonstration on “Growing your own vegetables when you don’t have a garden plot.”

Every day they’ll be an exciting selection of talks and demonstrations on subjects as diverse as what to do about “pesky weeds” to cooking from the garden, from “the love of lavender to Japanese flower arranging.

Just some of the highlights include:

• Friday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m.: Author Andrew Keys will discuss “Why grow that when you can grow this?”
• Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m.: Jim Donahue will demonstrate how to build a vertical succulent garden.
• Sunday, March 17 at 3 p.m.: Melanie Neuman will demonstrate all about container gardening.

 
The Boston Flower Garden Show

WHEN: Through Sunday
WHERE: Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston
ADMISSION: $20 adults, $17 seniors (65+), $10 children 6-17; under 6 free
INFO: www.bostonflowershow.com

 

Click to enlarge

**Photo submitted**
A customer sales representative speaks to a couple about a backyard pool model. The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi will be hosting the 18th Annual Novi Backyard, Pool Spa Show. The show runs from March 22 through March 24.

For those looking to create a summer getaway at their home, the 18th annual Novi Backyard, Pool Spa Show is the place to start. It runs from Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

“Homeowners will find everything that they need to create a backyard setting perfect for a home vacation,” said Christopher Ferriss, president of Association of Pool Spa Professionals, Michigan Chapter. “Many of our exhibitors provide maintenance, servicing and refurbishing for existing inground and above-ground pools, hot tubs, spas and backyard environments.”   

Hundreds of ideas, products and services are available from the major outdoor living environment categories on display including inground and above ground pools, hot tubs, spas, swim spas, decks, patios, outdoor living spaces, landscapes, grills, brick paving, decorative concrete, patio furniture and accessories.  

Homeowners will find the information they need about building and buying a pool or spa at show exhibits. Experts are available with tips and advice on purchasing, planning, maintenance, safety and landscaping.

“Exhibitors will showcase for backyard living a variety of renewing and improvement options including high-end hard-line gas grills,” said Ferriss. “Every weekend should be a vacation in your own home.”

Suburban Collection Showplace is at 46100 Grand River Ave. between Novi and Beck Road in Novi. Show hours are from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults; $4 for children 6 to 14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Discount coupons for $2 off adult admission are available at the show’s website. On-site parking is available for a fee. For more information, visit www.NoviPoolShow.com or call 734-398-9700.

Whether they want to or not, these days more and more women are taking care of business. And the Wilmington Woman’s Club is taking note.

For the first time since 1980, the club is switching the focus of its annual fundraiser in an effort to better equip women of today’s world. Instead of doing the usual home-and-garden Coastal Living Show, the 53 member group will host the first-ever “Women’s Show 2013 – Navigating Life.”

The show will be held March 16 and 17 at Cape Fear Community College’s Schwartz Center. It will feature a wide variety of vendors including an all-woman fencing company, auto repair shops and a female dominated law firm.

“We’re finding a trend … more women are finding themselves in charge of their financial health. I have women taking care of their parents, their children and their spouse, all at the same time while working. So we’re really multi-tasking,” said Lisa Salines-Mondello of the Elder Law Firm, one of the first vendors to sign up.

Proceeds of the Women’s Show will go to nine nonprofits that focus on helping women and children.

Geneva Reid, a member of the Wilmington Woman’s Club and one of the show organizers, shares how the new focus has the potential to do great things for Wilmington.

Q. So, why the switch?

A. Attendance at the Coastal Living Show had been dwindling. We were just another home and garden show. Last year, one our vendors commented on how we were doing much more than showing women how to decorate the house and do landscaping. Our show, she said had more depth. She encouraged us. So many women are making financial decisions. So many women are living independently. Helping women feel good about taking on these responsibilities, that was more appropriate for the women of 2013 than how to decorate the living room.

Q. What can people expect?

A. It’s insight into handling finances, staying healthy, maintaining the family car. We want to really show how to really liberate women and help them effectively maneuver between all these things and with ease. And, yes, you can still discover some new ideas for landscaping and home décor.

Q. You yourself recently experienced feeling liberated. What happened?

A. I drive an old Volvo and the headliner was always messed up. (That’s the cloth in the car’s ceiling.) I went to Autozone and they told me exactly what I needed to do and I came home and did it. That was such a good feeling, to know I don’t always have to go and get it done and everything doesn’t always have to be done by my husband. It was a good feeling to be able to do it myself.

Q. Ho much do you hope to raise and who benefits?

A. $30,000. We are a 501(c)3 organization. A hundred percent of our proceeds benefit our benevolences, which are primarily focused on women and children. We give scholarships to the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College. We support the Domestic Violence Shelter, the Cape Fear Literacy Council, the Kids Making It program, the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Women of Hope, Guardian ad Litem, and Cape Fear Clinic.

Community News: 343-2364

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

SIERRA VISTA — Cochise County residents looking for information, supplies and inspiration for their home need look no farther, the annual Southeastern Arizona Contractors Association (SACA) Home and Garden Expo is nearly here.

For the last two decades, the expo has provided area residents with an opportunity to see first-hand the newest trends and opportunities in home construction and remodeling, from energy efficiency and building materials for inside them home, to landscaping ideas for outside.

Anywhere between two- and three thousand people are expected to visit and explore the dozens of vendor booths located inside Buena High School over the two-day event, said Wayne Gregan, co-owner of RR Express with his wife, Patty.

“We wanted to bring the best possible show that we could do for Sierra Vista and Cochise County,” said Gregan, who sits on the SACA board of directors and coordinated this year’s expo.

While vendors have come from as far away as Phoenix this year, Gregan said that the first year the SACA board handled the entire proved how impressive the local market really is.

“The thing that’s nice, that we’ve learned, is we have a great depth of talent in town that we can tap into,” he said.

The goal of this years expo as it is every year, is “first and foremost, what we’re trying to do is bring new, innovative ideas that are driven toward home improvement and home construction,” he said. With various home builders like Castle and Cooke in attendance, that venue should be well covered for anyone in the market for a new home.

For remodeling and revamping existing homes, they key is to educate people as to what their options are so they can make an informed decision.

“We want the folks in Cochise County to come to the show and see some of the new innovative ideas that are out there,” he said. “People don’t know what they can afford because they don’t necessarily know what it costs.”

With alternative energy continuing to appeal to residents, about a half-dozen solar-centric vendors have signed up for this year’s expo.

While attendees can expect to see much of the same quality vendors and displays at the event, there are a few new aspects to it this time around.

Visitors can rest their feet for a moment with three different performances by Buena High School students in the Performing Arts Center.

Both days of the expo, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., will feature either a one-act play, an improv demonstration or a performance by the school band.

Those interested in the inner workings of the PAC can attend a backstage tour conducted by Buena students as well, Gregan said.

This year will also feature more outdoor vendors than in the past, ranging from motorcycle training, to fencing to car dealerships.

The free SACA Home and Garden Expo is held at Buena High School and starts Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continues Saturday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you find a correction for this story, please contact our editorial department

There are any number of moments that could pass for the beginning of the end of a legislative session in Texas. But if you’re looking for an end of the beginning, that was probably Friday.

Friday was the last day to file bills without asking anyone’s permission. Starting this past weekend, we now have to get four-fifths of our fellow senators to agree before any additional bills can be filed.

The bill filing deadline is always a crazy day. A great many offices tend to have at least a couple of loose ends to tie up, and they rush to get their bills filed. Meanwhile, various advocates and interest groups – some totally legitimate, some … less so – run through the Capitol in search of a legislator who will throw their idea a bone, letting it live for at least 80 more days as a bill and buying time to see whether it can become a law.

 

A lot of offices don’t much care for the scramble. Some put up signs on doors making it clear that they’re not interested in last-minute ideas. As one office down the hall from mine asked last week, “If this idea’s so great, where was it three weeks ago?”

Always a good question.

 

Read all about it, and get ready for more

The good news is that all of our stuff got in, and we’ve got a great collection of legislation that I’ll be talking and writing about more over the next few weeks.

I’ve already written some about my constitutional amendment to end budget diversions, my bill to reform investor-owned utilities, and a set of bills I filed on basic necessities and priorities such as budget honesty, education, water conservation and public safety.

Here are a few more that have attracted some notice over the past couple of weeks:

Modernize open meetings laws – make government more open efficient

Government should function efficiently and effectively. And the public should know as much as possible about what government is doing. No matter where folks fall on the political spectrum, they should agree with both of those statements. And technology can help make them both come true.

Senate Bill 1297 would infuse technology into Texas’ public information laws by allowing government officials to communicate via an official online message board posted on their government entity’s web site. The idea is to give officials a way to communicate and allow the public to listen in on the conversation.

I introduced the bill on Thursday at a press conference with Attorney General Greg Abbott. It was a great event, and I hope the bill will continue to bring people together from different perspectives. Here’s a good summary from the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

Property rights issue: let folks xeriscape their yards

Any time you can protect property rights and the environment, you’ve got to do it, right?

My SB 198 allows for the installation of more drought-proof landscapes by limiting a homeowners association’s ability to block xeriscaped or more efficient yards and landscapes.

Landscaping can make up about 30% of residential water use. People should have the right to save water and money.

Here’s more from State Impact Texas.

Increased penalties for fatal hit-and-run accidents

I filed Senate Bill 275 to increase potential criminal penalties on those who hit and kill someone in an accident.

Under my bill, those convicted of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death could face a 20-year prison sentence, not just the 10 years that current law provides.

Here’s an article about it from the Texas Tribune.

Transparency for major events incentives

For years, Texas has had a program designed to lure big events such as the Super Bowl to Texas. I believe that anyone who supports programs like these (and I do) has a special obligation to make sure they work.

So this session, I filed SB 541 to increase oversight and transparency for these programs. My bill also would ensure that the state is getting its money’s worth – and not someone else’s – by severely capping taxpayers’ obligations for things like new scoreboards from which a sports team (or another private interest) will recoup most of the value after the event has ended.

Here’s an editorial from the Statesman on the bill and the controversy that helped to prompt it.

Like I say …

These are all terrific bills. I hope to share good news about each of them – along with some other good ones I’m working on – before the session wraps up on Memorial Day.

Upwards of 10 thousand people are expected to make their way to Evergreen Park for this weekend’s GP Home and Garden Show.

The 20th annual show begins on Friday, and is presented by Dirham Homes and Kevin Vobeyda of ReMax. 

He says with 228 exhibitors present, there will be plenty of ideas for homeowners looking to do some spring improvement projects.

“Maybe they want to do some renovating, maybe they want to put some new flooring in, maybe they want to jazz up the countertops or cabinets.  There are a lot of those types of home improvement ideas available.”

Vobeyda adds there will also be ideas for landscaping or irrigation projects. 

He adds while the parents are checking out the displays, their kids can head over to the McDonalds Kids Zone for face painting, bouncy castles, and other activities.

CRESTVIEW — The City Council, after much discussion, is no closer to determining a use for a practically new, never-used industrial building offered to the city. However, city leaders said at a Monday work session that they would learn more about the possibilities following upcoming feasibility studies.

After hearing multiple suggestions, council members agreed that simply plucking the 3,552-square-foot warehouse off donor Gulf Power’s Cadle Drive site and depositing it on a piece of city-owned land is not that easy.

Councilwoman Robyn Helt again suggested using the building as a recreational facility at Countryview Park.

Library Director Jean Lewis suggested using a portion of it as a branch library at the Countryview Park site, citing proximity to Antioch Elementary School as an advantage.

Police Chief Tony Taylor hoped to use at least half the building for processing impounded vehicles.

Council President Ben Iannucci III continued to push for the building’s placement on city-owned land behind the Brookmeade Public Safety building for use as a recycling center.

“The benefit of having it is it is revenue generating,” Iannucci said. Grants are available for finishing off the building, including constructing the foundation slab and parking, he said, while other suggested uses would cost the city operational money.

Public Works and City Planning staffers said the city would face building code requirements that could include required parking spaces, drainage retention ponds and landscaping. Additionally, changing the building’s occupancy use changes its fire classification rating — potentially costing more in insurance, Fire Chief Joe Traylor said.

Any uses for the building, including if it is divided in two halves, would have to go through the Technical Review Committee and the Local Planning Agency to meet the zoning code, city officials said.

“We have to scrutinize ourselves as tightly as we scrutinize anyone else,” city planner Eric Davis said.

Councilman Thomas Gordon recommended directing department heads to investigate the various ideas suggested during the workshop and perform a feasibility study of each.

Any proposals must fall within the existing city budget, Iannucci said.

Assistant Public Works Director Carlos Jones — substituting for Director Wayne Steele, who was ill — said his department would research options and report to the council later.

Meanwhile, he said, the city has received an extension to the previous deadline of removing the building from the utility’s site by March’s end.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

JIM MOLONY

Organic Gardening Tour coming to Shades of Texas Nursery Landscaping

Looking for container gardening tips? The Organic Gardening Tour at Shades of Texas Nursery Landscaping is a place to start.

Posted: Monday, March 11, 2013 10:37 am

Organic Gardening Tour coming to Shades of Texas Nursery Landscaping

The 2013 Organic Gardening Tour featuring Shawna Coronado is coming to Shades of Texas Nursery Landscaping Sunday (March 17) from 1-5 p.m.

Nationally recognized gardening guru Shawna Coronado will be on hand. Her goal is to motivate the everyday homeowner to learn how to save money, build community and go green. Shawna promotes socially good ideas like individual residents feed the hungry, improving water sustainability, and increase neighborhood’s economic viability with gardening and green living techniques.

Homeowners tired of spending money on container gardens just to have them die through the heat and growing conditions of the summer can learn tips to help container gardens survive the summer heat with less disease and fungus and best yet – with less water use (which saves money) – by utilizing Shawna’s secret container gardening tips.

Shades of Texas Nursery Landscaping is located at 2618 Genoa Red Bluff, Houston, 77598.

• 
  Discuss
  
• Print
  
  
  

Posted in
Living

on

Monday, March 11, 2013 10:37 am.

Wandering around the Holum Expo Center at the Brown County Fairgrounds, Becky Washnok held a packet thick with brochures on paint colors, home designs and other samples.

 Washnok was one of an estimated 2,000 people perusing booths at the 12th annual Home Show on Saturday and Sunday. Put on by the Aberdeen Home Builders Association, the event draws landscapers, contractors and other vendors in the area to the fairgrounds to display their skills and wares for potential home builders and renovators.

 Washnok, a native of Aberdeen, moved back from Wyoming more than a year ago and was researching how to build a home.

 “I’m just looking for ideas from vendors,” said Washnok, 30.

 And ideas were abundant at the expo. There were contractors that advertised laying down the foundation of a home, others that talked about floors, some that designed garden landscape, and still others who specialized in pools.

 Laura Staebner, chairwoman of the event, said there were 70 vendors at the expo.

DENVER – Who: Whether you have a green thumb, a knack for do-it-yourself renovations or a desire to create your own vegetable garden, the 26th annual Denver Home Show has something for everyone.

 

What: The home-focused extravaganza will be held this weekend, March 15 – 17, at the National Western Complex in Denver. Experts in home décor, gardening, landscaping and remodeling will be on-hand to provide visitors with expert advice and inspiration.

  

Tickets are $9.00 online at homeshowdenver.com or $11.00 at the door. Children 12 and under are FREE.  And, in honor of all service members who help keep our homes, our neighborhoods and our country safe, the Show is offering FREE admission to anyone currently serving in the military, fire department or police force. All service members must show a valid service ID at the Show Office to receive a complimentary admission. This offer is only valid on Friday, March 15.

 

With everything from beautiful Japanese flower arrangements to the newest home improvement gadgets, the Denver Home Show is a perfect weekend event for everyone in the family. Some key show highlights include:

• The Truth about Landscaping: Ahmed Hassan, landscape extraordinaire and past host of DIY Network’s Yard Crashers and regular guest contributor for the CBS Early Show and NBC’s Today Show, will be presenting “The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth About Landscaping.” Presentations will be given on the Main Stage at 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

 

• Day and Night in the Garden:Stroll through the extraordinary Gardens of Excellence, designed and created by Colorado’s top landscape professionals. Discover the latest in creative design concepts, sustainable landscaping ideas and outdoor entertaining.

 

• Innovation for the Modern Home:Boulder’s Wynn Waggoner will be showcasing 2,000 square feet of new designs, materials and ideas. With the help of an entire collection of local industry professionals, visitors will learn what is needed to bring a homeowner’s remodeling dreams to completion.

 

• Competing for the Cup:The Floral Association of the Rockies will be holding their Rocky Mountain Cup contest at the Show. The Premier Competition will take place at 3 p.m. These five finalists will have one hour to design their beautiful creations. From novice to experienced designer, all entrants have a chance to win a monetary prize, the Rocky Mountain Cup, and of course, bragging rights.

 

• Look What’s Cooking at the Show: The Kitchen Stage will be holding demonstrations and contests throughout the weekend, including local Chef Richard Glover who will demonstrate his cooking talents and KIMN’s Jeremy Padgett as he competes against three lucky on-air winners to create a simple crock pot dish.   

 

• Sogetsu – The Art of Flower Arranging: Learn the art of Ikebana from the masters of Sogetsu Colorado! One of the Show’s most popular demonstrations and displays, numerous presentations will be given throughout all three days of the show.

 

• Ask-A-Designer!: Denver Home Show Interior Designer Wynn Waggoner will be conducting FREE 10-minute consultations. Bring color swatches, design plans or pictures from home magazines and Wynn will get you on track to creating the home you’ve always wanted. Stop by booth # 1741 to sign up for a time.

 

• And much more!

 

When: 

Friday, March 15th and Saturday, March 16th: 10-9pm

Sunday, March 17th: 10-5pm

  

Where:

National Western Complex, Expo Hall and Arena

4655 Humboldt Street

Denver, CO 80216

Located just east of 1-25 and 1-70 and easily accessible by taking Brighton Blvd. or Coliseum exits.

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.